Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Private J. Wilson, 9th Battalion Parachute Regiment

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, all unnamed, nearly extremely fine (4) £100-140

Jack Wilson was born on 7 December 1921. A Brass Moulder by occupation, he enlisted for the duration of the war at Fort George on 19 March 1942. He qualified as a parachutist on 5 July 1943. He later served with the 9th Battalion Parachute Regiment, 6th Airborne Division; postwar he served in Palestine, employed by the Regimental Police. He was discharged on 16 October 1946. His testimonial reads, ‘Has taken part in all three operations on the Continent with 6 Airborne Divn. Since coming to Palestine (a year ago) he has been employed in the Regt. Police where he has proved himself excellent. A smart & efficient soldier’.

The 9th Battalion (Eastern & Home Counties) Parachute Regiment was formed on 8 December 1942 as part of the 8th (Midland Counties) Battalion. The 9th Battalion formed part of the 6th Airborne Division which originated in April 1943. The division took a prominent part in the Normandy landings; the 9th Battalion under Lieutenant-Colonel Otway given the task of destroying the coastal battery at Merville - for which Otway gained the D.S.O..

Sold with two fragmentary Soldiers Service and Pay Books; Soldier’s Release Book Class “A”; medals card forwarding box (address unclear); a large photograph of the whole 9th Battalion Parachute Regiment, September 1945; an album containing several photographs and a ‘Quebec Can’ cloth pennant.